Yelena Alekseyevets says, "One of my dreams came true because ever since my childhood I have dreamed of being a teacher, both of my parents are teachers."

Alekseyevets began her teaching career 20 years ago in the former Soviet Union. She emigrated to the US in 2000 and settled in Westfield with family. But Alekseyevets needed to be certified before she could teach here in Massachusetts.

Alekseyevets says, "It was a long road, a long way to get this job in America because I had to take some courses and I had to pass some tests to become a full certified teacher here in America."

The hard work paid off. Alekseyevets now works at Highland School in Westfield teaching Sheltered English Immersion, for students whose first language is not English. On Monday she was surprised with the 2008 "No Child Left Behind" American Star of Teaching award.

The award is given out once a year to only one teacher per state. Colleagues say they weren't surprised when they heard the news.

ESL District Coordinator Teresa Benedetti says, "She realizes and understands because she has the empathy and the sensitivity as a second language speaker herself."

Alekseyevets credits her students success to her "hands on" learning approach for student's whose second language is English.

Alekseyevets says, "They can see everything, they can touch everything which makes it easier for them to understand the material because sometimes it's very hard to understand that since they don't have the background because some of them just came last year so we have very different levels."

Alekseyevets didn't expect to receive such an honor but says she is proud to know her hard work is helping her students and her school.

Alekseyevets says, "I hope to continue teaching at this school I love this school, absolutely love this school and I love teaching them, all the stuff and I love my students."